Sep. 21—Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Wednesday to establish standards and a governance framework for generative artificial intelligence use by commonwealth agencies.
The order outlines the values and principles by which state employees will utilize generative AI technologies; engage Pennsylvania's leading AI innovation and research sector to understand potential impacts and opportunities of generative AI on the state's workforce and digital service delivery; and establish a Generative AI Governing Board to guide state policy, use and deployment.
With generative AI already impacting Pennsylvania's economy and Pennsylvanians' daily lives, the governor's action encourages the responsible use of the technology to help state employees to deliver more efficient and effective services while understanding the potential risks.
"This new executive order will help us responsibly integrate this emerging technology into some of our government operations so we can move at the speed of business and better serve Pennsylvanians," Shapiro said in a press release. "
The executive order enumerates 10 core values that the executive branch will use to govern the use of generative AI: accuracy, adaptability, employee empowerment, equity and fairness, innovation, mission alignment, privacy, proportionality, safety and security, and transparency.
Based on the core values outlined, the Office of Administration will create training materials on generative AI usage and the state's governance structure and develop generative AI knowledge certifications for employees. OA will also explore a science and technology fellowship for post-bachelors, -masters and -doctoral candidates to pursue a two-year stint with the state focused in part on the intersection of generative AI with their assigned agencies' mission.
With this executive order, Shapiro has directed state agencies to begin preparing for the impact of generative AI on government operations. The state's public safety agencies are working with top experts to address the threats AI poses, and the administration is taking a multi-agency approach toward protecting Pennsylvania consumers from threats posed by generative AI.
Shapiro also announced a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University's Block Center for Technology and Society, one of Pennsylvania's leading generative AI research institutions, which will create opportunities for the commonwealth to leverage faculty expertise and receive advisory support for the Generative AI Governance Board, as well as foster additional research support and collaboration on generative AI usage.